Web design best practices are essential for creating an engaging and user-friendly website that ranks high in search engine results pages (SERPs). However, with so many guidelines out there, it can be challenging to identify which ones are truly effective. In this article, we’ll explore some common web design mistakes that may seem like best practices but actually hinder the success of a website.
1. Overusing Pop-Ups and Banners
Pop-ups and banners are often used to capture user attention and promote products or services. However, excessive use can be intrusive and disruptive to the user experience. According to a survey by HubSpot, 79% of internet users find pop-ups annoying. In addition, too many pop-ups and banners can slow down website load times, which can negatively impact user engagement.
A better approach would be to use pop-ups and banners sparingly and strategically, only when necessary. It’s important to consider the context in which these elements are being used, and to ensure they don’t detract from the overall user experience.
2. Ignoring Mobile Design
In today’s world, more people access the internet via mobile devices than desktop computers. Therefore, it’s crucial that websites are optimized for mobile viewing. Ignoring mobile design can result in a poor user experience on mobile devices, which can lead to high bounce rates and lower conversion rates.
Research has shown that 57% of users will leave a website if it takes more than three seconds to load. In addition, mobile users are less likely to engage with content if the font size is too small or if there are too many clicks required to navigate through the site.
3. Using Too Much White Space
While white space can be an effective way to create a clean and uncluttered design, excessive use can make a website appear boring and uninteresting. In addition, too much white space can make it difficult for users to find important information on a website.
To avoid this mistake, consider using white space strategically to guide the user’s attention to key areas of the site. Use visual elements such as images, infographics, and videos to break up large blocks of text and create a more engaging experience.
4. Not Using Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
A clear CTA is essential for driving conversions on a website. A CTA should be prominently displayed and clearly indicate what action the user should take next. Without a clear CTA, users may be unsure of how to proceed, which can result in lower conversion rates.
According to a study by Nielsen Norman Group, users only spend 10-20 seconds on a website before deciding whether or not to stay. Therefore, it’s crucial that CTAs are clear and concise, and that they stand out from the rest of the content on the page.
5. Not Optimizing for Speed
Website speed is an important factor in user engagement and conversion rates. Slow load times can result in high bounce rates and lower conversion rates. In addition, slow-loading websites can negatively impact search engine rankings.
To optimize website speed, consider compressing images, using a content delivery network (CDN), and minifying code. Additionally, consider reducing the number of HTTP requests on a page to improve load times.
Summary
Web design best practices are essential for creating an engaging and user-friendly website that ranks high in search engine results pages. However, some common mistakes can hinder the success of a website. By avoiding overuse of pop-ups and banners, ignoring mobile design, using too much white space, not using clear CTAs, and not optimizing for speed, web designers can create a better user experience and improve conversion rates.